Gressly’s two home runs super-charge Lebanon in regional semifinal win

Butler senior matches regional track record set in 1971

MLS expected to announce Cincinnati expansion bid Tuesday

Springfield standout: ‘It’s all about getting to state’

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Wittenberg alum joining Ohio State football staff again

Gressly’s two home runs super-charge Lebanon in regional semifinal win

Butler senior matches regional track record set in 1971

MLS expected to announce Cincinnati expansion bid Tuesday

Springfield standout: ‘It’s all about getting to state’

Wittenberg alum joining Ohio State football staff again

Published: Tuesday, February 13, 2018 @ 9:06 AMBy:
Marcus Hartman

FAYETTEVILLE, AR - APRIL 21: Interim Head Coach Taver Johnson of the Arkansas Razorbacks talks to his players on the field during the Spring Game at Donald W. Reynolds Stadium on April 21, 2012 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)(Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)

Ohio State coach Urban Meyer hired Johnson away from Temple, where he was defensive coordinator for a season and was recently promoted to assistant head coach.

Prior to that, he spent two seasons at Arkansas and three at Purdue.

“I am really pleased to have Taver Johnson join our coaching staff,” Meyer said in a statement. “I’ve known Taver for a long time, going back to our days at Notre Dame, and I think he is a terrific coach and person. He’ll do an excellent job coaching our cornerbacks and mentoring the young men in our program.”

Johnson’s previous work experience also includes two seasons as an assistant at his alma mater, two stints as an assistant at Miami University and one with the Cleveland Browns.

He also spent a year at Notre Dame, where he worked with Meyer.

Johnson replaces fellow Cincinnati native Kerry Coombs, who took a job with the Tennessee Titans in January.

Gressly’s two home runs and five RBI’s provided the bulk of Lebanon’s fireworks in a 6-3 defeat of Lakota East in a Division I high school softball regional semifinal on Wednesday. Lebanon (26-3) will take a six-game win streak into Saturday’s regional final against Lakota West (24-3) also at Centerville. West advanced by eliminating Mason 9-3 in Wednesday’s other semi.

Trailing 1-0, Gressly delivered a no-doubt, three-run bomb in the third inning. The designated hitter, she trumped that with another two-run missile in the sixth.

“It’s the best feeling in the world,” said Gressly, who verbally committed to Wright State University prior to this season. “I was just trying to put some runs on the board. It was a bit of a rush. We really want to make it back to state and I think we have the team to do it.”

Lebanon designated player Grace Gressly keep her eye on the ball Wednesday during a Division I regional semifinal against Lakota East at Centerville. Gressly had two home runs and five RBIs in the Warriors’ 6-3 victory. MARC PENDLETON/STAFF

Gressly’s shots made a winner of junior pitcher Kat Frank (24-3), who went the distance. When centerfielder Madison DeGennaro secured the final flyout, Warriors catcher Molly Osborne leaped into Frank’s awaiting arms in celebration.

“It was awesome out there,” Frank said. “We talked the other day with (coach Brian Kindell) how this has become an expectation for Lebanon, but we really need to enjoy it because it’s awesome to make it this far in the tournament.”

Lebanon has been to the D-I state final four five times since 2012, including last season. The Warriors were the state runner-up in the 2015 and ’12 seasons.

Clinton-Massie 11, Greenville 4: Clinton-Massie (27-5) scored five runs in the first inning and three in the second to avenge a loss to Greenville in the same round a year ago. Claire Carruthers had the big hit in the first inning, a two-run home run. Victoria Severt hit a two-run home run in the second inning.

It was the 16th straight season for Greenville (26-6) to finish with 20 or more victories for coach Jerrod Newland, who took over the program in 2003. Greenville’s Sydney Grote drove in the team’s first run in the second inning. Morgan Gilbert hit a solo home run off the top of the fence in right field to provide Greenville’s second run in the third inning.

Greenville against Clinton-Massie in a Division II regional semifinal on Wednesday, May 23, 2018, at Mason High School. David Jablonski - Staff Writer

Greenville, which won the state title in 2007, was seeking its fourth state berth. It made the final four in 2010 and lost in the state final in 2012. It lost 5-3 to Jonathan Alder on a walk-off home run in the ninth inning last season in the regional final.

Massie will play Jonathan Alder in the D-II regional final on Saturday.

Jonathan Alder 14, Kenton Ridge 5: Jonathan Alder handed Central Buckeye Conference rival Kenton Ridge (23-2) its only losses this season, including a D-II regional semi at Mason. Carly Turner hit a two-run home run with two outs in the fifth inning with the Cougars trailing 12-1 to help Kenton Ridge avoid losing by the run rule. Jade Espinosa hit a solo home run in the seventh inning.

Kenton Ridge against Jonathan Alder in a Division II regional semifinal on Wednesday, May 23, 2018, at Mason High School. David Jablonski - Staff Writer

North Union 5, West Liberty-Salem 1: North Union tallied two runs in the first inning and made that lead stand in a D-III regional semi at Wright State. Kayle Henderson had a double for the Tigers, who finished 21-3 overall, won the Ohio Heritage Conference (14-1) and were district champs for the second straight season.

North Union (24-2) will play Williamsburg in Saturday’s D-III regional final. Williamsburg advanced by defeating Indian Lake, 10-2.

Bradford 2, Mechanicsburg 0: Winning pitcher Skipp Miller struck out 12 and allowed just three hits as the Railroaders extended their record-setting postseason in a D-IV regional semi at Greenville. Miller also had two hits, including a double. Bailey Wysong added a run-scoring single and Elisa Martinez knocked in a run.

HUBER HEIGHTS — Butler’s Daiton Sharp took a giant leap into regional track and field history on Wednesday night at Wayne High School.

A senior, Sharp unloaded a long jump of 23 feet, 11 inches on his final attempt to win the Division I meet. That puts him in rarefied air, matching the 23-11 that Jeff Parks of Dayton Roosevelt initially set way back in 1971 (Class AAA), a quantum span of 46 years.

“I knew that was the one,” beamed Sharp, who overcame an outstanding long jump field and will be among the state title contenders in the event. “I was flying and floating in the air.”

The top four regional placers advance to next week’s season-ending state track and field meets at Ohio State University’s Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium at Columbus. Wednesday’s only running final was the 4x800 relay; all other racing was to qualify for Friday’s finals. About half the field events were finals; the other half will be contested on Friday.

The first day of the D-III regional also was held on Wednesday at Troy. It too is on the same schedule as D-I and will resume on Friday.

Sharp had record company. Lakota East sprinter Serena Clark eclipsed a regional record that had stood since 1990.

Just a sophomore, Clark’s clocking of 11.79 in 100 meters qualifying bested the previous record of 11.81 that D’Andre Hill of Cincinnati Mt. Healthy established in 1990. Hill was an All-American at LSU and ran for the United States in the 1996 Olympic Games at Atlanta.

Clark also qualified first in the 200 (24.42) and ran on East’s 4x100 relay (47.41) that qualified first.

Bellbrook senior McKenna Kramer was second in the high jump. The D-I regional track and field meet was at Wayne on Wed., May 23, 2018. MARC PENDLETON / STAFF

Springfield senior Quincy Scott had a final long jump of 23-5.25 to pull even with Centerville junior Yariel Soto. Then Sharp answered. He would have been closer to 25 feet had he not fallen back in the landing pit on his hands. An appreciative crowd gasped, then roared in approval after he bounced out of the sand. Competitors raced to congratulate him.

Soto was awarded second in a tie-breaker of better jumps. All three should be in contention for a D-I state title, which likely will require a leap of 24-plus.

“It’s pretty awesome,” said Sharp, who signed to jump at Saginaw Valley State University. “I’ve been trying to get 24 (feet), I’ll get that at state, though. I’ve been putting in a lot of work and I want to win state this year. That’s my plan.”

• Sophomore anchor Taylor Ewert rallied Beavercreek to a win in the girls 4x800 relay (9:11.75). That also vaults the Beavers into state-title contention. Centerville won the boys 4x800 relay (7:57.57).

• The only other area winner was Centerville’s Collin Jasin in the pole vault (15-2). The senior missed three attempts at 16 feet. Elks teammate Soto was third (14-6).

Other area winners were Tri-County North senior high jumper Hailey Thies (5-6), Stivers sophomore Ivynn Spears in the long jump (21-10.25), Covington junior Lauren Christian in the shot put (42-8) and Covington senior Jett Murphy in the pole vault (14-8).

MLS expected to announce Cincinnati expansion bid Tuesday

FC Cincinnati lost to New York Red Bulls 3-2 in overtime of their 2017 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup semifinal game Tuesday, Aug. 15 at Nippert Stadium on the University of Cincinnati Campus in Cincinnati. NICK GRAHAM/STAFF

Major League Soccer is expected to announce Cincinnati as its next expansion team on Tuesday.

A press conference ‘regarding Cincinnati’s soccer future’ will take place at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in Cincinnati. FC Cincinnati owner Carl Lindner III, MLS Commissioner Don Garber, FC Cincinnati President and General Manager Jeff Berding, Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley will be in attendance.

MLS awarded a bid to Nashville in December and had expected to announce another team at that time as well but delayed a decision as finalists Cincinnati, Detroit and Sacramento all had elements of their bid that needed addressed.

Cincinnati was still sorting out its soccer-specific stadium plans at the time. However, the club finally completed its bid with a West End stadium deal passing with a 5-4 City Council Vote on April 9. The club signed a Community Benefits Agreement was signed with a group representing West End residents last week.

Springfield standout: ‘It’s all about getting to state’

Springfield senior Quincy Scott was third in the long jump in the D-I regional track and field meet at Wayne on Wed., May 23, 2018. MARC PENDLETON / STAFF

HUBER HEIGHTS — Other than not getting off a legal jump in the Greater Western Ohio Conference meet two weeks ago, Springfield High School senior Quincy Scott had been unbeatable in the long jump.

That changed in the first day of the Division I regional track and field meet at Wayne on Wednesday. The defending D-I state runner-up, Scott sank to third, the first time he hadn’t won this season other than the conference.

“It’s all about getting to state and the bigger picture,” Scott said. “Next week is when I make my money. It’s just move on to Friday and get ready for state in four events. It’s like a win-lose situation (on Wednesday).”

The top four regional placers advance to next week’s season-ending state track and field meets at Ohio State University’s Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium at Columbus. Wednesday’s only running final was the 4x800 relay; all other racing was to qualify for Friday’s finals. About half the field events were finals; the other half will be contested on Friday.

The first day of the D-III regional also was held on Wednesday at Troy. It too is on the same schedule as D-I and will resume on Friday.

Scott was part of an outstanding boys long jump competition that could repeat at state. His final jump of 23-5.25 pulled him even with Centerville junior Yariel Soto, who led with other better jumps. Butler senior Daiton Sharp answered with a final leap of 23-11.

That matched one of the oldest regional records that initially was set by Jeff Parks of Dayton Roosevelt in 1971 (Class AAA), a span of 47 years.

Scott unloaded a qualifying-best 10.67 in the 100, was third in the 200 (21.79) and anchored the 4x100 relay (42.32) to a third best. Also on the relay were Austin Tyree, Jacob Yost and Michael Brown-Stephens.

“This is a very special meet for me,” Scott said. “My birthday is on Friday and it’s a regional final. My main problem was I was just focusing too much on the meet. I was just worrying too much, but I’m not going to be too hard on myself.”

• West Liberty-Salem loaded up the four girls relays in the D-III regional at Troy. The Tigers placed third in the 4x800 (9:40.97). Its 4x100 relay (50.67) was second, the 4x400 (4:06.73) third and the 4x200 (1:46.79) fifth in finals qualifying. WL-Salem senior Raiph LeVan also was third in boys 400 qualifying (51.35).

Southeastern junior Charlie Bertemes was fourth in the discus (143-0) and advanced to the D-III state meet. However, Yellow Springs senior Amani Wagner was fifth in the shot put (36-8), missing state by one place.